What Do We Need In The Next Two Windows To Make 4231 Effective?

[themightyfin]

2 hours ago, Swan Lesta said:

So if we are going to play 4231 effectively and ideally we would like two players for each position what do we need moving forward?

 

We'll need a back up RB & LB to cover for Ricardo and Chilwell?

 

Arguably we need a midfielder who can play in the middle and pass the ball and orchestrate moves to partner Mendy or Ndidi - probably not both as perhaps they should be fighting for the one starting place? I perhaps see Silva as the second choice player in this position but an upgrade would be nice.

 

We've got 4 decent CB's in Evans Morgan Maguire and Soyunco and of course Benkovic out on loan should we lose one due to old age or sale... not to mention Johnson and the other youngster in the U23's.

 

Wingers - we need one of these and somebody good enough to start.

Albrighton & Gray (Though admittedly Gray is showing promise operating anywhere along a front three)  Ghezzal hasn't yet demonstrated that he's done enough to play in this squad yet for me.

 

Nets we are in excellent shape with KS and DW.

 

Nacho for me is a 9 and Vardy's understudy but he seems to be chucked on the pitch randomly!

Okazaki will be off I'd think at the end of this season.

 

Maddison & Barnes at 10? do we even play a traditional 10 in 4231 or are they positionless utility forwards to chuck on anywhere in a front 3?

 

So we'll need cover at LB RB, a starting central midfielder, a starting winger and possibly a new striker? Will that mean then we have two players for every position keeping the competition for places and squad rotation possible?

 

 

 

 

I like the title of this post but you then. Go on to tell us the answer. 

Edited 3 December 2018 by themightyfin

[Nicolo Barella]

5 minutes ago, OhYesNdidi said:

Amadou Haidara from Salzburg 

What kind of player is he?

[Nick]

12 minutes ago, themightyfin said:

I like the title of this post but you then. Go on to tell us the answer. 

You’ll notice question marks at the end of each stanza?

 

Thanks for your input though.

[yorkie1999]

We need the manager to demonstrate to the players he has faith in them by NOT making signings for signings sake in January. Stick with the obviously talented players we've got, allow them to develop and NOT destroy their confidence by signing what they would perceive as inevitable replacements. 

[filbertway]

Loftus-Cheek would make a massive difference for us, especially against teams that sit deep. Would be well worth spending 30 odd million on him.

[WigstonWanderer]

Replace Iborra with Fellaini

[desertfox2]

Stating the obvious but we need more goals in the side. This was always going to be a problem with losing Mahrez.  Gray needs to find an end product or be replaced, (harsh but that's football) and as much as I love Albrighton he doesn't score enough to play in this system. His biggest strength aside from work rate (crossing) is negated with one up top and not much height. Maddison will only get better and looks a threat. So basically out of the 4 players that need to be scoring in this system for it to work well ,we have 1 proven quality but ageing (Vardy), 1 young and looking like he will enough of a threat (Madders) 1 that has all the potential but not quite doing it yet (Gray) and one that has been great for us but we know will not score enough (Albrighton)

 

Mendy and Ndidi are fine to hold the system together but are never going to score many. 

 

Defensively- If Benkovic is as good as he sounds then that's Morgan covered for next season. Hopefully keep hold of Maguire. Chilwell and Pereira are just going to keep getting better so defensively we are not far away.

 

The key is that we sign the best quality we possibly can for the wide players we need. Break the bank on quality rather than various average signings. Look at Klopp at Liverpool. (I realize they are a different level) but he needs a CB waited until he got the one he wanted Van Dijk, wanted a GK signed Allison. We will obviously need to go younger and less well known. But we should be scouting heavily for the 2 main players we need.

 

In the future replacing Vardy is going to be our biggest test. There's only one...

 

 

 

 

[hackenbacker]

2 hours ago, weller54 said:

I think with Lolley it's a case of suck it and see!

But if he doesn't work out we could find ourselves in a sticky situation

[tiredclimb]

2 hours ago, mozartfox said:

Benko is off to Celtic for 15m.  Totally agree with other 2 suggestions. Creative MF and another Goal Scorer. Hopefully a gem with potential as opposed to a so-called proven in another league for 25m.

How certain is that benko info?

[themightyfin]

1 hour ago, Swan Lesta said:

You’ll notice question marks at the end of each stanza?

 

Thanks for your input though.

Anytime. 

[Nick]

1 minute ago, themightyfin said:

Anytime. 

Good stuff.

 

In fairness you’ve come out of this really well and not looking at all odd.

[fuchsntf]

Good Idea for a topic,more sense than the attacks on players.but

With Gezzy,Albrighton,Gray,even a flexible Chilli ,more so Pereira   ..I am sorry I don't understand the craving from some, for a wingman..

 

Taking into account I believe Puel will be promoting/pushing a few youngsters through into the 1st team,bringing some back from loan,and ditching

a few.

I would of thought,higher priorities would be  A quality,hit the ground running central striker...+ another young striker with 1st team potential,ready

for game time,and bench time...> Vardy and Nacho will be forced out occasionally <  Plus Nacho still might make the cut..!!

Then another quality,immediately 1st team choice,to compliment Maddison.

Puel has been left,with a slow-running engine room,he's rekindled Mendys future and potential,lost totally out on 2 top international expected easy passage

to automatic first teamers,plus a stuttering Ndidi who's showing , despite high potential,he has weaknesses,that really need improving on!!!

 

To make these 2 windows effective,one thing that is obvious to me,after Hughes demise,Wagner's lack of buying power,and Rafas high potential,

Ruined by indifferent management approach, that means we need to keep Puel s rebuild and development mandate on the road

by backing and supporting him to the hilt!!   Criticise by all means when points/opinions have something behind them,not just for the sake of it.

More importantly, appreciate what task and what was needed for Puel or any other manager,to give us a future ,plus to reach and hold midtable,

because our squad didn't have it when he took over the responsibility. Clubs like us with just above moderate finances,have no easy or comfortable

Solutions to make and keep them in the higher echelons of the PL.

IMO,I feel confident with Puels showing so far.Last season was giving all squad players their chance to prove their value to Squad and Puel s ideas.

This season was to start the rebuild,not forgetting we couldn't cancel out all surplus to requirements contracts..

Our performances are moderate and stepped out of the turgid ,tepid monotones.

Really before I do consider,what our summer window needs will be,I believe we might have to wait to see if there is internal promotions to the

1st team squad,and who can break through,or ones that can't keep up to expectation.Though the above mentioned would still stay requirements!

 

 

 

[Nicolo Barella]

46 minutes ago, tiredclimb said:

How certain is that benko info?

He's joking 

[lifted*fox]

the next two windows I'm hoping for another Lindt gold bunny but they look too small so I guess it's probably just the little Lindt chocolate squares instead.

 

sick calendar tho m8s - reckon there is a full size bunny on xmas eve. 

[Captain...]

I would be tempted to say don't sign anyone, we have 2 professionals that are not in the 25 man squad, we need to ship 3 players before we can bring in one.

 

Before we sign a CM we  need to sell/release 2 from Silva, Iborra, King, James

Before we sign a CD we need to sell/release Benalouane + 1 other and we have Benkovic to come back

Before we sign a striker we probably need to sell/release Shinji or nacho

Before we sign someone to play in the 3 we need to sell Ghezzal and we have Barnes to come back

 

If we pick up 6-10 points between now and January we will be looking comfortable and if we can get these players clicking, clear out some of the deadwood and bring on some of the youngsters then we will be looking pretty strong next summer.

 

The exception would be a left back, as Fuchs is on his way in the Summer which only leaves Chilwell, or someone who is so clearly a guaranteed upgrade on what we have.

[siraaj_lcfc]

Think we've all basically regurgitated each others comments and come to a conclusion we need a creative midfielder and another goal scorer.

[siraaj_lcfc]

Just now, Captain... said:

I would be tempted to say don't sign anyone, we have 2 professionals that are not in the 25 man squad, we need to ship 3 players before we can bring in one.

 

Before we sign a CM we  need to sell/release 2 from Silva, Iborra, King, James

Before we sign a CD we need to sell/release Benalouane + 1 other and we have Benkovic to come back

Before we sign a striker we probably need to sell/release Shinji or nacho

Before we sign someone to play in the 3 we need to sell Ghezzal and we have Barnes to come back

 

If we pick up 6-10 points between now and January we will be looking comfortable and if we can get these players clicking, clear out some of the deadwood and bring on some of the youngsters then we will be looking pretty strong next summer.

 

The exception would be a left back, as Fuchs is on his way in the Summer which only leaves Chilwell, or someone who is so clearly a guaranteed upgrade on what we have.

Why sell Ghezzal already? We've only just bought him. I don't think he's done that bad personally.

[Smudge]

Anyone know if Beaglehole is in step with the grand design? Seems to me that the U23's need training in formations that parallel the main squad. i'm not suggesting they aren't i just would be interested to know.

[Captain...]

3 minutes ago, siraaj_lcfc said:

Why sell Ghezzal already? We've only just bought him. I don't think he's done that bad personally.

He's the poorest of the players we have in that position, to bring in a new forward we need to make space in the squad, he would be the one to go, but obviously it could be Albrighton or Gray, but I wouldn't sell either of them.

[siraaj_lcfc]

1 minute ago, Smudge said:

Anyone know if Beaglehole is in step with the grand design? Seems to me that the U23's need training in formations that parallel the main squad. i'm not suggesting they aren't i just would be interested to know.

Mhm not too sure bout that but I get where your coming from. They are quite successful at the minute and had a great previous season. You don't wanna be messing around with them too much, but yeah experiment a little like Santa Claude seeing as quite a few are coming through the ranks.

[Nicolo Barella]

2 minutes ago, fuchsntf said:

 

With Gezzy,Albrighton,Gray,even a flexible Chilli ,more so Pereira   ..I am sorry I don't understand the craving from some, for a wingman..

 

 

I believe the desire for a good winger is rooted in the fact that we need wingers who can score goals, like Mahrez. The fullbacks have been excellent but aren't wingers anyway so why would you expect goals from them, Albrighton works like a horse but doesn't have goals in his locker, Gray is like a meal you can look at but not eat, and Ghezzal is a back-up for Maddison in the No. 10 role. Gray has scored what, 1 goal in 14 games? 2? Not enough. Albrighton brings other things to the game, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he hardly ever scores. Unless Gray improves this season beyond just looking better, it's time to sell him for a profit.

[siraaj_lcfc]

1 minute ago, Captain... said:

He's the poorest of the players we have in that position, to bring in a new forward we need to make space in the squad, he would be the one to go, but obviously it could be Albrighton or Gray, but I wouldn't sell either of them.

Ship him out to Belgium.......................................... Jokes. I don't know. We could send him on loan but we don't really need to spend money in that position.

[AjcW]

Rico Henry, sadly currently injured, would be perfect for Chilwell back up.

 

It's a tricky one though, you need someone who will come here and be patient enough to know that Chilwell probably has another two season here before he's gobbled up. That's why i'd go for a youthful Championship level prospect like Henry.

[Stadt]

Here I am moaning about Puel again but I think better players would only somewhat mask underlying problems with chance creation. We're too cautious to begin and we lack structure with the ball.

[siraaj_lcfc]

Just now, Nicolo Barella said:

I believe the desire for a good winger is rooted in the fact that we need wingers who can score goals, like Mahrez. The fullbacks have been excellent but aren't wingers anyway so why would you expect goals from them, Albrighton works like a horse but doesn't have goals in his locker, Gray is like a meal you can look at but not eat, and Ghezzal is a back-up for Maddison in the No. 10 role. Gray has scored what, 1 goal in 14 games? 2? Not enough. Albrighton brings other things to the game, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he hardly ever scores. Unless Gray improves this season beyond just looking better, it's time to sell him for a profit.

Coulda carted him off to Bournemouth for £25m last time out was it??. He just doesn't finish his chances.